Having a balanced diet requires eating vegetables, fruits and greens. However, some foods of plant origin soar compared to others when it comes to containing more nutrients. This statement can be applied to lemons, according to a study published by William Paterson University, in the US state of New Jersey.
According to scientific research, lemon is the healthiest fruit in the world. Of 41 foods evaluated, the citrus option is the best listed. Next, strawberries, oranges, grapefruits and blackberries appear sequentially. The researchers analyzed the concentration of 17 essential nutrients in relation to the amount of calories present in each food.
Through this investigation, researchers sought to understand and list which foods provide the highest proportion of nutrients. Following this premise, researchers discovered that lemon contains 53 milligrams of vitamin C per 100 grams, in addition to containing calcium, potassium, magnesium and fiber.
In the Claudia Meireles Column, nutritionist Letícia Gasparetto explains that lemon is a food rich in vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant capable of strengthening the immune system, fighting infections and protecting cells against oxidative damage. According to the expert, the nutrients present in the fruit contribute to various organs, such as the skin, heart and intestine.
According to Letícia, the skin is one of the organs that benefits most from eating the fruit. “It contributes to reducing sun damage and promotes collagen production,” she claims. In relation to the intestine, the nutritionist details that lemon has citric acid, a substance that favors the digestive process.
“This citric acid from lemon helps improve digestion and helps in the production of digestive enzymes, providing healthier intestinal functioning”, emphasizes the nutritionist who works in Brasília.
Lemon also helps heart health as it is a source of flavonoids, compounds that minimize risk factors for heart disease, as argued by Letícia Gasparetto. She advises drinking water with lemon throughout the day to keep the body hydrated, another advantage of consuming the healthiest fruit in the world.
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